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Inverter install
- Thread starter jsalbre
- Start date
Darkone
Well-Known Member
I haven’t installed one but I believe there would be enough room under the drivers seat. I believe there ~5” of clearance from the bottom of the seat bracket to the floor. Enough for an inverter.
Another option would be behind the rear seats on the cab wall. Although mounting would be a little tricky but it could be done.
Are you wanting to have it accessible or are you planning on mount your receptacles elsewhere?
Another option would be behind the rear seats on the cab wall. Although mounting would be a little tricky but it could be done.
Are you wanting to have it accessible or are you planning on mount your receptacles elsewhere?
CdnHO
Well-Known Member
That sucker is going to draw some serious power. LOL
No room under the driver’s seat unfortunately. The DRVM module is there.
The only output is going to be at the rear bumper. I’ll be using it to run power to my trailer while on the move.
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What are you trying to power on the trailer?
You’ll want the inverter as close to the HAPP as possible if you’re planning to run a decent amount of watts. Even the run from the HAPP to the back seat will need 3/0, maybe 4/0 depending on average power use.
Charging essentially. I’ve used DC to DC chargers in the past, but most are 12-12v, and I’ve installed a 24v system on this trailer. 120v is obviously a way more efficient way to get power over distance and charging via inverter has become popular recently. I can set my trailer inverter to limit the input power, but its minimum setting is 9.4A, or about 1200W.
Why not a DC to DC? Victron can support dual voltage systems with the 1400. https://www.victronenergy.com/dc-dc-converters/orion-xs-dc-dc-battery-chargers.
I'm running the XS in my trailer. Ran cable to the back of the truck and put an Andersson connector.
I get the thoughts but I think the DC to DC would be a lot less effort.
I'm running the XS in my trailer. Ran cable to the back of the truck and put an Andersson connector.
I get the thoughts but I think the DC to DC would be a lot less effort.
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There are definitely some 12/24 DC-DC options, but as you know that would take a large set of cables to be efficient.
A 1500W continuous inverter would do what you want, but if you find plenty of room a 2000W continuous would let you run the A/C too… especially if your inverter has power share. A 20A connection could be pretty useful if the inverter fits under the back seat.
Are you running a multiplus? That’s what I’ve ordered for the 24V system I’m installing in our van.
Less effort and seemingly more simple, but a lot bigger wire requirements (total run) for any large charge rate. Not as easy as 12ga to the rear bumper and plugging in the trailer.
If you limit it to 12V 50A input one could still get a good charge rate. You cold probably get away running 1ga to the trailer and installing the XS near the battery bank and be good.
I ran the Orion XS on my last trailer with a 12v system. I looked at the new XS 1400 that does dual voltage, but thats still a limit of 700W and I’d really like more than that. It’s also nearly $400, and is single use. A large inverter on the truck would potentially be useful for other things as well.
I’m running a Quattro 24/3000/70-2x120. I chose the Quattro for the second AC input specifically for doing an inverter in the truck (and for adding a small 1000w propane generator as an emergency backup once ALP starts production again). I already run the ACs (a pair of Furrion Chill Cubes) off the battery, and I’ve got nearly 1200w of solar panels with room to double it.
I don’t want to run an inverter in the truck at full tilt all the time, which was why I was thinking limiting to 10A (1200w) draw but with a 1500-2000w inverter.
I’m sure someone has already installed a similar inverter in their Ram, I just want to piggyback off their work.
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Multipurpose is nice.
Should be a nice setup.
I’m trying to avoid the need for any additional 120V requirements camping, so the Quattro was definitely more than I needed.
Fair enough. I have the XS in my trailer Plus 1200w of solar with the multiplus 12/3000 2x120. Looking back, I wish I had done the quattro. It would have come in handy a few times but overall I'm happy. I could add another 800w of solar but that would require me to run another string of wire from the roof down and I'm just not interested in doing that right now.
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Looks like you’re using a chassis ground. Did you increase the size of the chassis ground at the block?
Loads greater than 50A are supposed to be grounded to the engine block.
Wack99
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Only using the inverter for charging phones/tablets in the trailer at night if we don't have shore power, so not really getting any where near 50A. It's also connected to a secondary battery that isolates from the main charging system when the truck is off.
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Interesting mounting.
I actually decided to skip the inverter for now and install an Orion XS 1400. It’s less power, but I already have all of the wiring I need to use it in place, so it’ll be about an hour of work to install. I can do the inverter later if I need it.
I actually decided to skip the inverter for now and install an Orion XS 1400. It’s less power, but I already have all of the wiring I need to use it in place, so it’ll be about an hour of work to install. I can do the inverter later if I need it.
Wack99
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It was free.
Direct to the chassis, if I ever need the extra it's easy enough to throw another cable across.
I am definitely interested in the same thing - an inverter powered off of the starter battery / alternator to run power back to a trailer.
It is very common in the conversion van world.
I don't have a truck yet but the "potential" locations that I have considered are:
- under the front seats
- behind the rear seat on the wall
- in the engine bay
- under the truck near the drivers seat
- In the bed
It is very common in the conversion van world.
I don't have a truck yet but the "potential" locations that I have considered are:
- under the front seats
- behind the rear seat on the wall
- in the engine bay
- under the truck near the drivers seat
- In the bed
This guy put his under the back seat. Not completely sure about that location and ventilation. Obviously a lower end inverter compared to some others.
The phoenix line has an programmable input voltage range so it can auto shut down if the starter battery is too low, but it is somewhat limited in other ways.
The phoenix line has an programmable input voltage range so it can auto shut down if the starter battery is too low, but it is somewhat limited in other ways.
Our trucks have a storage cubby there that wouldn’t fit a very large inverter. If you have the subwoofer it takes up the entire passenger side of the cubby.